TURKMENISTAN: ASHGABAT DRAWS CLOSER TO CHINA

Eurasianet

9/22/09

Turkmenistan and China have developed a five point proposal to
strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Energy and security concerns were at the heart of the plan discussed
by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese President Hu
Jintao in New York on September 21.

Bilateral cooperation plans are being built around the Turkmen-Chinese
energy export pipeline. [For background see the Eurasia Insight
archive]. "China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to ensure
the commission and completion of the project according to schedule,"
the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

The sides pledged to "formulate long-term cooperation programs" for
industries other than oil and gas, as well as promote cultural and
education exchanges, the Xinhua report added.